fable

1 of 2

noun

fa·​ble ˈfā-bəl How to pronounce fable (audio)
: a fictitious narrative or statement: such as
a
: a legendary story of supernatural happenings
Minerva is in fables said, from Jove without a mother to proceedSir John Davies
b
: a narration intended to enforce a useful truth
especially : one in which animals speak and act like human beings
The theme of the fable was the folly of human vanity.
c
: falsehood, lie
The story that he won the battle single-handedly is a mere fable.

fable

2 of 2

verb

fabled; fabling ˈfā-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce fable (audio)

intransitive verb

archaic : to tell fables

transitive verb

: to talk or write about as if true
fabler noun

Examples of fable in a Sentence

Noun a fable about busy ants The story that he won the battle single-handedly is a mere fable. He combines fact and fable to make a more interesting story.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In addition to Catherine Avery’s cancer and Jo Wilson’s PTSD, the series also makes the case that the messy exit of original cast member Justin Chambers got a dose of Finch’s fables as well. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024 Investigating these unverifiable fables about aliens should be scrapped as a fool’s errand for AARO, which earlier this year released a historical review demolishing this long-running conspiracy theory. Luis Cayetano Simmari, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024
Verb
Tony was also a player in Swinging London, fabled for his charm, smarts, skill, energy, philanthropic causes, good looks, gift of gab, circle of hip friends and extramarital love affairs. Bill McGraw, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fable 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin fābula "talk, gossip, account, tale, legend," from fā-, stem of for, fārī "to speak, say" + -bula, feminine derivative of -bulum, instrumental suffix (going back to Indo-European *-dhlom) — more at ban entry 1

Verb

Middle English fablen, borrowed from Anglo-French fabler, fableier, going back to Latin fābulārī "to talk, converse, invent a story," verbal derivative of fābula "talk, account, fable entry 1"

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of fable was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fable

Cite this Entry

“Fable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fable. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fable

noun
fa·​ble
ˈfā-bəl
: a short fictitious story
especially : one intended to teach a lesson and in which animals speak and act like human beings

More from Merriam-Webster on fable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!